CIT Group announced that its Livingston-based employees and vendors collected more than 44 tons (88,000 pounds) of food as part of its company-wide 2015 Shared Harvest Food Drive Initiative. The amount, which equates to more than 72,500 meals, supports the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County and the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges/Essex County.

“I’m proud of our employees’ efforts and the support of our vendors, who collected more than 44 tons of food for the Interfaith Food Pantry in support of our 2015 Shared Harvest Food Drive Initiative,” said John A. Thain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our employees surpassed last year’s record by three tons, and their efforts are reflective of the broad culture of giving at CIT where our employees aim to play a role in supporting our local communities.”

Rosemary Gilmartin, Executive Director at the Interfaith Food Pantry of Morris County, said, “There are a few constants in life — unfortunately, one of them is the fight against hunger. Although our needs increase year over year, we’re grateful to companies like CIT, who for the third year in a row have collected much needed food to fill our pantries, and for this we say thank you!”

Peggy Baggaley, Pantry Coordinator at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges/Essex County, said, “We’re extremely appreciative of the continued support of CIT and its employees who embody the spirit of giving. We need more companies to follow CIT’s lead as it’s a constant struggle to keep our doors open and food on our shelves.”

Throughout 2015, CIT offices will sponsor similar employee food drives as part of the company-wide Shared Harvest Food Drive Initiative. In addition, employees will partake in CIT’s annual Global Employee Volunteer Program during which they volunteer their time to support local community organizations. In 2014, approximately 1,200 employees volunteered more than 8,200 hours participating in 116 projects that included tutoring students, delivering food to homebound individuals, constructing homes and beautifying parks.